The bottom gave way from shortness of water, and the main bulk of the boiler was thrown straight up into the air to a great height, but descended again on its seating.
No.50. Chatham. ([Fig. 22.])
September 7th.
2 killed, 30 injured.
Fig. 22.
Two Tube Cornish, 22ft. long, 7ft. 6in. diameter, with tubes, 3ft. diameter, 7/16 inch plate, 60 lbs.
Some rents took place at the under side of the shell, allowing the central portion to open out and blow away. The portion containing the dome was thrown to the left, and the other to the right. The front end, with 3 rings of the shell, with the tubes and back end, were but little moved from their original position. The tubes were dented in on the top and bottom, by the fall of some large coping stones upon them, but the crowns of the furnaces were uninjured, and there was no sign of shortness of water or overheating.
Extensive corrosion on the under side of the shell, where it rested on the brickwork, had so reduced the strength, that it was unable to bear the working pressure.